In Telegraph.co.uk article entitled, “Americans Are Getting Too Fat for X-Rays,” writer Harry Mount reports on a recent Radiology magazine feature. It seems that the nations’ expanding waistline is making it difficult to obtain accurate x-ray readings, either because patients cannot fit on or in radiological equipment (like x-rays, MRI machines, etc.), or because radiological waves are unable to penetrate patients’ fat.
As Mount writes, this can raise serious health concerns, if such medical problems as clots, tumors, and fractures are left undetected. The answer is, of course, to build machines that accommodate larger frames and to create more powerful radiological waves, able to penetrate fat. If we can design an artificial heart, perform entire surgeries through a microscopic needle, and successfully transport organs from one body to another, then surely we can design a larger MRI machine.
8 comments:
More powerful x-rays exist, they don't have to be created, but do we really want them aimed at us? Radiologists use the lowest energy x-rays that can do the job. Sure, they could use more powerful ones but I don't wish for it.
I will check out that article though.
It's quite dangerous to make a more powerful radiation machine. It raises the risk for radiation side effects (including cancer).
As for MRI, as an MRI research scientist I can tell you that we don't have enough data on how MRI effects the body to risk making a stronger MRI. As of now, MRI's are about 3 Tesla large (tesla is a unit of measure for magnetic power). To compare, the earth's magnetic field is only 3.1×10−5 T (that's .00003 T).
Also, the type of overweight that would be a problem in these cases (over 300 pounds) is probably unhealthy for a person anyway. I'm not promoting diets or eating disorders - but if someone is that large, they probably aren't healthy. Don't we want just want everyone to be happy and healthy?
If someone can't fit in an MRI machine, they have a serious problem that goes beyond just not being able to fit in an MRI machine. Normally i'm with you on this stuff but that may be going a bit far.
I have to agree. I had an MRI recently, and they are pretty big. Not being able to fit in one means you are at risk for problems - orthopedic if not cardiovascular.
I agree with you all, but (and you knew there was going to be a "but," didn't you ; )), I'm not sure that recommending weight loss to an obese patient is the best way to go here. We have an obligation to treat all patients who walk through the door--and while the goal is for everyone to be "happy and healthy," the reality is that many are not--so the question becomes, how can we work w/what we have? Advising someone to lose weight, which happens all the time, is not necessarily the most realistic option, given the lack of healthy and effective weight-loss measures we have. I simply think we should open up our discussion to examine how we might be able to treat all patients--sending someone away who may be at risk for certain cancers, under the guise of "You're already quite unhealthy," does not seem to me to be the most ethical approach. Yes, increasing radiation levels might have additional consequences, but this may ultimately involve weighing (no pun intended) the pros and cons and determining an evaluative and treatment approach based on the individual.
I enjoyed your blog
I printed a lot of it out so I can catch up
I am also writing a book about my ED
I am on Emily links
Thanks
KAren
I just wanted to pop by and say I just found your blog today and I'm very interested in what you have to say.
I have a blog- it's not on this website though.
starbucksxangel.wordpress.com if you get bored ;)
thanks for posting all that you post.
Thanks, Karen. Good luck w/your book.
Hi, anon--I'll check it out, even if I'n not bored. ; )
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